Tea time is an opportunity to take a time out. The following five places—an eclectic mix of hotel restaurants, an apothecary and even a well-known cosmetic boutique—offer a bunch of full-bodied, refreshing, tasty, good-for-you, hot and cold tea options.
Tipple + Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary: A trip here translates into a tasty time out. This stunningly modern, yet dainty parlor in Virginia Highland encourages guests to languidly lounge on settees, waiting benches, wing-back chairs and plush leather seating—all while sipping any of the 100-plus brewed teas currently available. The brainchild of We Serve People's Doria Roberts and Calavino Donati, the recently opened shop also offers bulk teas and spices, caffeinated coffee alternatives, morning pastries, desserts, High Tea, tastings and monthly tea pourings.
Buttermilk Kitchen: At this North Buckhead restaurant, Chef Suzanne Vizethann blends Mighty Leaf black organic tea and house-made simple syrup to make a refreshing drink served over ice with a lemon. Over the past few weekends, she's been blending an organic sweet ginger peach tea, house-made simple syrup and fresh peach juice, creating another cool concoction.
Aveda: Since they are known for their plant-derived beautifying products, it's only logical that this cosmetic company would venture into the beverage industry. Their "comforting tea" is a scrumptious herbal blend of licorice root and peppermint, available in convenient tea bags or bottled. Hot, it's amazing yummy, naturally sweetened, but tastes even better when served cold. Keeping inline with the rest of the does-your-body good products, the tea is a 100-percent certified organic blend that has no caffeine, sugar or added flavors.
Southern Art: Chilled teas are served at this restaurant located in the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead. First Chef Art Smith brews a sun tea and sweetens it to taste with cane sugar, local honey and mint leaves. Next, he serves it over heavy ice with sliced lemon for a garnish. Lastly, patrons drink and enjoy.
The Lobby Lounge: Located at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, this drawing room like setting offers afternoon teatime sittings at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Mirrored after traditional British teatime, each session features loose-leaf tea steeped in individual teapots and poured through sterling silver strainers into bone China teacups. A myriad of teas including of black, red, green and herbal infusions plus a selection of tea sandwiches, pastries and a special children's tea menu are all available.
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